Leslie Caulder, MS, C-TAGME, director of education and training programs at the University of Florida College of Medicine – Jacksonville, was announced as a recipient of the 2023 GME Institutional Coordinator Excellence Award by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, or ACGME.
The award, established in 2011, recognizes institutional coordinators who display extensive knowledge in graduate medical education. Institutional coordinators, in collaboration with designated institutional officials and the graduate medical education committee, are charged with ensuring programs comply with regulations established by the ACGME, the main accrediting body for residency and fellowship programs in the United States. Those honored with this award also manage many roles such as administrator, counselor, enforcer, coordinator, organizer and scheduler.
“It is an honor to be among the 14 institutional coordinators who have received this award since its inception,” Caulder said. “This gives me a tremendous sense of pride for what I have accomplished during my career and my work at this institution.”
Hired in December of 1999, Caulder began her journey at UF as an administrative assistant to the clinical director of the Lem Turner family medicine clinic. Later, she transferred to the family medicine residency office as a program assistant. In 2003, Caulder accepted a position in the office of educational affairs, or OEA, and has remained there for almost two decades. She describes her experience over the years as fulfilling.
“Graduate medical education is a rewarding career,” Caulder said. “It means so much to me to be involved in the future of medicine. Being a good physician is more than just taking care of one’s patients, it's teaching the next generation of doctors to do the same thing, with the benefit of improved medical knowledge and treatment options. That is what we do here. I am privileged to work with a wonderful and knowledgeable GME team.”
Caulder says she enjoys every stage of the academic year cycle, from recruitment and onboarding to accreditation site visits and fiscal reporting. Most importantly, she enjoys working with colleagues and staff who have a common goal to advance the practice of medicine through education.
“We are tremendously proud to have Leslie as part of our team here in Jacksonville,” said Elisa Zenni, MD, senior associate dean for educational affairs at UF COMJ. “The work she does is from the heart. She is a true leader in graduate medical education and is invested in all 37 of our ACGME-accredited programs and more than 400 residents and fellows.”
For those on a similar career path, Caulder's advice is to never stop learning, invest in your self-development and stay motivated.
The UF College of Medicine – Jacksonville is proud to have forward-thinking leaders and faculty in graduate medical education that equip and teach the next generation of medical professionals.
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